Archives for July 2004

Cutting hay and grazing livestock on land enrolled in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Conservation Reserve Program, in the absence of a weather-related emergency, is now an option for Texas producers.

Bruce Ferguson, County Executive Director for the Donley County Farm Service Agency, announced today that managed haying and grazing is allowed on CRP lands.  Haying is approved in Texas July 2 through September 29, and grazing is approved beginning July 2 and ending October 29, 2004. The starting date for both haying and grazing is tied to the end of the primary nesting and brood rearing season in the state.  Prior to the 2002 Farm Bill, commercial use of CRP land was generally prohibited except for weather-related emergencies such as droughts.

To take advantage of the haying and grazing options, producers must modify existing conservation plans for the CRP acreage to include managed haying and grazing practices. The plans must be developed in conjunction with USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) or one of its technical service providers.

Producers must also agree to certain terms and conditions, including signing an agreement to re-establish, at the producer’s own cost, any cover destroyed or damaged as a result of haying or grazing and to remove all hay within 10 days of being notified that the managed haying and grazing season has ended.

Ferguson emphasized that for acreage that is hayed or grazed, annual rental payments producers receive for enrolling land into CRP will be reduced by 25 percent.

Under this enhanced CRP provision, producers can cut hay or graze livestock on a given acre no more than once every three years after the vegetative cover is fully established. An area hayed or grazed this year, for example, may not be hayed or grazed again until 2007. CRP participants can choose to hay or graze their entire CRP acreage in the first year, or only a portion of their CRP acreage each year. Producers may not harvest hay and graze livestock on the same land in the same year. 

“The managed haying and grazing option provides producers latitude when making land management decisions regarding their operations. The periodic disturbance of vegetative cover under managed haying and grazing will increase the diversity and quality of the cover and improve wildlife benefits,” said Ferguson

For additional eligibility criteria and information regarding CRP Managed Haying and Grazing, contact the Donley County FSA office at 806-874-3561 or visit the USDA Web site at http://www.fsa.usda.gov.

AUSTIN – Texas Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn said Friday that the state received $1.18 billion in sales tax revenue in June, up 4.1 percent compared to June 2003, and marking 10 consecutive months of sales tax growth.

So far in fiscal year 2004, state sales tax revenue is up 7.7 percent compared to the same point in fiscal year 2003.

Locally, the City of Clarendon’s July sales tax rebate fell 12.07 percent to $16,660; but the city remains more than five percent ahead for its year-to-date total of $141,683.38.

Hedley’s rebate rose to $562.93 up from $425.79 one year ago.  Howardwick posted a 2.82 percent increase and received a rebate of $1,048.27.

Comptroller Strayhorn sent July sales tax allocations of $214 million to Texas cities, up 2.7 percent compared to July 2003. Calendar year-to-date, city sales tax allocations are up 8 percent compared to the same period last year.

June state sales tax collections and July sales tax allocations to local governments mostly represent sales that occurred in May.

A Clarendon man was arrested last week following an investigation of a rash of residential burglaries.

Shane Klinnert, age 36, remained in the Donley County Jail Monday, facing charges of burglary of a habitation and violating probation.

Sheriff Butch Blackburn said Klinnert was arrested last Thursday and arraigned the following day by County Judge Jack Hall. Bond was set at the $25,000 for the burglary charge, but no bond was set for the probation violation.

Blackburn said the arrest cleared ten cases, four of which had happened the day of the arrest. One case dated back two months, and the remainder had occurred in the last two weeks.

The crimes occurred across the county in residences from Ashtola on the west, inside the city of Clarendon, and to Lelia Lake on the east.

Prescription medications were the primary items stolen during the burglaries, Sheriff Blackburn said, but some meat, a fan, and a television were also taken.

Klinnert also reportedly stole a radio from a volunteer firefighter’s home and used it to keep track of local law enforcement personnel.

All the missing property in the cases, other than the pills, have been recovered, the sheriff said.

Blackburn credited the arrest to two observant citizens who noticed the suspect’s vehicle at the locations of two of the burglaries.

“Without the help of two citizens, we would not have been able to clear these cases as quickly as we did,” the sheriff said.

Klinnert was on probation for a DWI charge, Blackburn said.

A southwest Clarendon home was lost to fire after it was hit by lightning early Friday morning.

Lightning struck a second story addition to a railroad caboose that was attached to the south side of the three-story home of George and Dixie Howard at 702 S. Leroy Street, according to Assistant Clarendon Fire Chief Patrick Robertson.

“It caught the upstairs of the caboose on fire. Wind blew the fire under the eave of the house and into the attic,” Robertson said.

The 911 dispatcher received the call of the fire at 5:44 a.m., and Donley County Deputy Kelly Hill, who had been watching lightning in the area, arrived on the scene at 5:46. The first of six units from the Clarendon Volunteer Fire Department arrived at 5:52.

Fifteen firefighters responded to the call and had the blaze largely under control by 8 a.m., but they were unable to save the structure.

“If the wind hadn’t hit and if we had hit with water a few minutes sooner, we probably could have contained it,” Robertson said. “The guys did a heck of a job fighting it.”

The top two floors of the house were destroyed, and most of the contents on the first floor received smoke and water damage. No firemen were allowed on the roof or inside the structure due to the possibility of collapse.

Most of the fire units were released by noon, and personnel were rotated out with one unit watching over the site until 6:40 p.m.

Robertson said the fire department pumped an estimated 200,000 gallons of water to battle the blaze and said he was informed by Greenbelt Water Authority that the level in the west water tower dropped by 18 feet.

Robertson said fireman Jason Christopher was one of the first to respond and had to be taken by ambulance to an Amarillo hospital where he was treated for smoke inhalation and heat exhaustion. He was released the same day.

Several other men had to be treated on the scene for smoke inhalation and heat exhaustion.

Clarendon College is offering an entrance test for individuals interested in applying for admission into the Vocational Nursing Program on July 13 and August 23.

Cost for the Texas of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) is $40 and will be given at the Vocational Nursing Program classroom located at 313 S. Kearney.  Achieving a passing score on the TEAS is one of the admission requirements for the program, and individuals may only take the test a maximum of two times.  Test times are by appointment only.

Vocational Nursing is a one-year program being offered in Clarendon.  Satisfactory completion of the program entitles the student to receive a Certificate of Completion and to take the examination required by the State Board of Vocational Nurse Examiners to become a Licensed Vocational Nurse in the state of Texas.

To register for the TEAS test or for more information about the Clarendon College Vocational Nursing Program, contact Sharron Rust at 874-3571.

A generally smaller crowd than last year attended the 126th anniversary Saints’ Roost Celebration held at City Park last Saturday.

Warm July weather greeted celebration goers this year as friends and families gathered to renew acquaintances and to mark the anniversary of American Independence.

The Old Settlers Reunion got things started, and Melvin Housden of Houston traveled the greatest distance to be there.  Willard Skelton and Roberta Adkins Pittman were the oldest man and woman present.  Viola Barker Graham was recognized as the person who has lived in Donley County the longest – 87 years. 

One visitor at the reunion was indeed a long ways from home. John Hyslar, of Deal, Kent, England was visiting with the McElroy family.

The Al Morrah Shrine Club served a little over 800 plates of barbecue, which is down from last year when they served over 1,000.

Funds from the annual barbecue are used in conjunction with the Khiva Temple of the Shrine in Amarillo to help pay for transportation of kids to the Shriners’ burns and crippled children’s hospitals, both of which are Masonic charities operated free of charge. A local Shrine Club official reported that they will be lucky to break even from this year’s event.

The Kid’s Parade saw a total of 47 entries. In the 0-4 year old group, Brooke Smith was first, Hannah Flowers was second, and Brandalyn Ellis was third.  In the 5-8 year old group, Blaine Ellis was first, Kallie Hawkins was second, and Hannah Hawkins was third.  In the 9-12 year old group, Andrew Tiedeman was first, and Summer Petrie was second.  Prizes for the kids were donated by Donley County State Bank, Duckwall’s, and Cornell’s Country Store.

The annual Parade had 61 entries in four divisions this year with Grand Marshal Air Force Major Dave Clinton leading the way.  Major Clinton is the son-in-law of Mike and Neva Spier of Clarendon and just finished a tour in Korea.

The Chamber of Commerce reports the Clarendon High School Cheerleaders’ float won first place in the Float division for the fourth year in a row.  Martin Baptist Church won second place in that division.  In the Riding division, the Donley County Horse Club won first place. 

In the Antique Vehicles division of the Parade, Redell Johnston won first place, and Wondell Luttrell took second place honors.  In the Miscellaneous division, the Girl Scouts won first place, and Evan Baily won second.

The were several winners of the Lions Club Cow Patty Bingo.  Todd Lindley and Mandy Floyd Flowers won $50 each.  Flowers also won $250.  Wid Slick won $500 and donated it back to the Club. The calf used in the contest belonged to Brayden Phillips.

At the annual Henson’s Turtle Race, 187 turtles competed, which was down from last year’s 230 turtles.  Branson Cruse of Turkey won the 0-4 age division.  Jami Lindsey of Memphis and Brandon Anderson of Clarendon tied for first place in the 5-8 division.  Zach Christenberry of Ft. Sill, Okla., won the 9-12 division. 

Crow Hollow Cattle Feeders was the winner of the utility trailer given away by the local FFA and 4-H groups. 

Justin Ham was the lucky winner of the Las Vegas trip given away by the Clarendon Chamber of Commerce.

A Channing, Texas, team took top honors during the Clarendon Outdoor Entertainment Association’s annual Ranch Rodeo last Friday and Saturday.

COEA officials say both the ranch rodeo performances and the dances were well attended this year.

The Quien Sabe Ranch posted scores that beat out 19 other local and regional teams as working cowboys put their skills to the test as part of the 126th anniversary Saints’ Roost Celebration. The team was made up of Tim Stout, Andy Falcon, Jim Kingston, Lynn Thompson, and Cory Kendrick.

Finishing second was Clarendon’s Rafter S Ranch team of Joe Shadle, Brad Shadle, Wes Mason, Randy Crump, and Ray Crump.

The Rafter L Cattle Company of Groom claimed third place with the team of Lonny Brown, Cody Britten, David Hinson, Cody Spiva, and Dennis Nebett; and Clarendon’s JA Ranch team was fourth with the team of Billy Hollowell, Scott Williams, R.D. Horn, Buck McClain, and Powder Horn.

The Top Hand award was won by Juan Navarette of the Jackie Barnett Team from Ft. Worth. Navarette also took home the Top Horse award.

Event winners were as follows:

Bronc Riding – Single Five Ranch of Boise City, Okla., (Friday night and overall) and Quien Sabe (Saturday).

Team Doctoring / Sorting – Rafter L (Friday and overall) and Bar W Ranch of Clarendon (Saturday).

Wild Cow Milking – LX Ranch of Amarillo (Saturday and overall) and JA Ranch (Friday).

Team Branding – Rafter S (Saturday and overall) and the JA Ranch.

Winners of Thursday’s Ranch Horse Competition in the Cowboy Class were Marshall Long, first, and Chance O’Neal, second and third. Long also won the Open Class Senior Division. Monte Hollar was second, and O’Neal was third.

Saturday’s Wild Mare Race was won by Shane Hall, Wade McConnel, and Justin Ham.

Thursday’s Open Bronc Riding was won by Cody Aaron, Luke Grice, and Tim Stout.

Junior Calf Riding was held Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Jake Owens and Spencer Nicholson took home first and second places Thursday. Jayce Bland was first on Friday night, and Chance McAnear was second. Nicholas Shadle won the event Saturday and was the overall winner. Kade Hunsaker was second on Saturday.

Bradley Watson was the overall winner of the Junior Steer Riding and took first place on Thursday night and second place on Friday. Johnny Gaines was second on Thursday and first on Friday. Milo Medlock was Saturday’s winner, and Cordell Martin was second.

The Donkey Ride winner on Thursday was Kay Hewett, and Pat Butler was second. Ryan McCleskey and Zach Watson were first and second Friday. Colton Kingston was first Saturday and was the overall winner, and Jacob Pigg was second on Saturday.

Thursday night’s Calf Scramble winners were Haley Hollowell, T. Batteman, and Michael Crump. Chris Crump, Michael Crump, and Monty Holland were the winners Friday; and Haley Hollowell, Quincy Carlton, and Sarah Clay won Saturday.

Beef certificate winners for the three days of the rodeo were Hillary McAnear, Kathy Hommel, and Cindy Reynolds Bunyan.

FSA allocates loan funds for socially disadvantaged farmers, ranchers

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) allocates a portion of its farm loan program funds specifically for socially disadvantaged applicants (SD), including minority and women producers.

“FSA farm loans are available to all qualified applicants; but by setting aside funds specifically for minorities and women, the Agency ensures members of these specific groups can receive a portion of available funds – assuming they meet FSA loan eligibility requirements,” said Larry J. Goetze, Farm Loan Manager for Donley County FSA.

By FSA definition, an applicant is considered socially disadvantaged if he or she is a member of a group whose members have been subjected to racial, ethnic, or gender prejudice, without regard to individual qualities.  FSA has identified socially disadvantaged groups as Women, Blacks, American Indians, Alaskan Natives, Hispanics, Asians, and Pacific Islanders.

FSA offers both direct and guaranteed farm loans.  Farm loan funds can be used to purchase farms, livestock, and equipment.  They may also be used to operate a farm, build or repair service buildings, pay for soil and water conservation practices, and in some cases refinance debt.

For direct loans made by FSA to purchase a farm, the terms may extend to 40 years with a current interest rate of 5.5 percent.  Direct operating loans may be made for one to seven years with a current interest rate of 3.5, which is subject to change.

“Applicants requesting direct real estate loans should be aware that funding for this program is limited and may require a waiting period before funds are available and applications approved,” said Goetze.

FSA guaranteed loans are made by banks or other commercial lenders and are guaranteed by FSA for up to 90 percent of any loss.  The guaranteed loan program includes both operating and real estate loan programs.  If a loan applicant is able to obtain financing from a private lender equal to 50 percent or more of the total funds needed to jointly finance the purchase of the farm, the interest rate on the FSA direct loan would be fixed at five percent.

SDA loan applicants do not receive automatic approval. Individuals must be US citizens with a satisfactory history of meeting credit obligations, have sufficient education, training or experience managing or operating a farm, possess the legal capacity to incur debt, and be unable to obtain credit through traditional lending means.

The Clarendon Board of Aldermen last week gave engineers the authority to begin advertising for bids for paving work to be done this year.

An invitation for bids will begin running in the legal notice section of this newspaper next week and continue the following week. Bids are scheduled to be opened at City Hall on July 23 at 2 p.m.

According to a copy of the notice, the city is considering contracting 8,661 linear feet of concrete curbs and gutters, 12,510 square feet of base material, and the same amount of two-course penetration paving.

This year’s paving project is being planned for West Seventh Street from the western city limit to Sims Street and West Fourth Street from Koogle to Jefferson Street.

In other city business last Tuesday, the aldermen heard the annual report of the Local Housing Authority as presented by Donna Hicks.

The board re-appointed Alderman Mark White to serve as mayor pro-tem.

The city’s 2005-2006 application for Texas Community Development Project funds was discussed. Alderman Bobbie Kidd will visit with the city’s grant writer concerning her recent performance before a decision is made on the current application.

The municipal budget for 2003-2004 was amended as needed.

City Administrator Sean Pate reported Joe Shadle had received his certification as a municipal solid waste Class C operator as well as his RSES refrigerant usage certification.